10:54 PM,
Apr. 7, 2013

New Ball State head coach James Whitford is seen here instructing Arizona players in a game this past season.

Written by

Thomas St. Myer
tstmyer@muncie.gannett.com

Ball State forward Tyler Koch had never heard of James Whitford until Saturday, when Whitford was named the men's basketball coach.

Koch Googled his name and, after reading up on his new coach, came away impressed by the hire. He was even more impressed after speaking to Whitford on the phone Saturday.

Koch said Whitford was easy to talk to and he liked his coaching philosophy. As he hung up the phone, Koch felt a sense of relief, not only because Ball State hired what appears to be a quality coach, but also because a mentally-draining 23-day coaching search was over. ...